Fueled By Ramen recording artist Grandson has shared his powerful new single “Identity,” which is available today on all streaming platforms. “Identity” is the first step down a dark rabbit hole from the mind of Grandson, where a boy born into a world of conformity and obedience must confront and destroy his own demons in order to destroy the system he lives in from within. The accompanying official music video, directed by Karl Jungquist, brings the audience face-to-face with the voices both inside themselves and in society, recalling iconic dual personalities in music like slim shady and blurryface, while providing commentary on blood spilled on the way to change that is all too relevant in these times.
Grandson is currently in the studio finishing up work on his debut album which is expected to arrive later this year. For news and more information on grandson visit HERE. Grandson detailed “Identity” stating, “This is the first chapter in the story of how I became grandson, the personification of the demons I’ve struggled within my own head as I found my voice, and the very real fear every idealist has that all their effort will be for nothing.” “Identity” follows grandson’s a modern tragedy EP trilogy, and marks his first new music since the launch of the XXwhy acoustic campaign.
Beginning this past February, Grandson has released a series of collaborations, with each performance joined by an XXwhy podcast episode aimed at creating discourse between creatives working in music and activism. The podcast, hosted by grandson and recorded at idobi Radio, features acoustic performances of the collaborative tracks and discussions with the collaborators, activists, and more. Collaborators and guests thus far include K. Flay, Dreamers, Phem, Zero 9:36, and more. As part of the XXwhy campaign, grandson partnered with Headcount and Gibson Guitars, focusing in on voter registration for the upcoming election. Each XXwhy track released is accompanied by “Text Voter XX to 40649” in the title. Fans who text the number will be registered to receive updates about voter registration in their area and can join the “me +3” initiative which helps voters’ friends to register as well. Upon texting the number, participants are also entered to win a signed Epiphone guitar by grandson and the featured artist for that month’s track. For further information on upcoming XXwhy releases and podcasts, visit HERE.
The politically focused campaign launched on the heels of grandson’s collaboration with Whethan – “All In My Head” – and his joint track with Moby Rich, “Happy Pill,” which serves as an exploration into the dangers of addiction. “Happy Pill” is joined by a Joe Cappa directed music video, which is streaming now on grandson’s official YouTube channel. This past September, grandson released the third installment of his “modern tragedy” EP series, a modern tragedy vol. 3. The EP is available now on all streaming platforms, along with the Seth Stern directed music video for lead single “Rock Bottom.” 2019’s a modern tragedy vol. 2, is highlighted by the lead single “Apologize,” which was Broken Down for a stripped-back acoustic version and remixed by Hidden Citizens.
A modern tragedy vol. 2 follows grandson’s Fueled By Ramen debut EP, a modern tragedy vol. 1, and is an exploration into the heart, into addiction, into power, into disillusionment, and into accepting who you are and not compromising. Marking some of his most personal work to date, a modern tragedy vol. 2 touches on the environment around grandson and serves as a commentary on gun violence, on apathy and sensationalized media, on truth and martyrdom. a modern tragedy vol. 1, released in 2018, finds grandson confronting some of the most pressing political and social issues impacting his generation, provoking discourse through a powerful union of art and activism. The five-song EP is highlighted by the RIAA gold-certified single, “Blood // Water.” The track’s official music video – directed by Ride or Cry – is streaming now via the official Fueled By Ramen YouTube channel. Furthermore, the EP saw grandson make his network television debut with a performance of “Blood // Water” on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers.
